Metrolinx offers some answers on Presto defaults

On Thursday Metrolinx sent answers to some of my questions about the Presto over-ride function. But in truth, readers came up with most of this information earlier and my subsequent experience using Presto has helped too. But here's what we now know:

1. The over-ride applies only to GO trains because of the distance-based fares the regional service uses. About 96 per cent of GO train riders travel in and out of Union Station so the default function means they don't have to tap off when they get off the train.

2. Information on the default and over-ride functions is available on almost all of the literature and web material supplied by GO, including the GO website, the Presto website and the user guides provided with the card.

3. All the agents selling Presto are trained in explaining the default settings and over-ride function, according to the email I got from GO's media officer.

The default and over-ride are for the convenience of GO riders because they save most people from tapping off when they get off the train, she said.

But I suspect tapping off would be a serious Presto turn-off to passengers who aren't required to do anything with their existing tickets or pass when they reach their destination. Once you've bought a two-ride or 10-ride GO fare you have to have it stamped in one of the point-of-purchase machines at the station before you depart. But there's no requirement at the destination end of the ride.

I've looked at all the material and the links and it looks simple. But right now I'm going to check my transactions record to see why, yet again today, my card was rejected at the Aldershot reader.

Once piece of information I noticed in the course of my research: every time this happens the customer gets charged the highest possible fare.